Case Study: A Unique Home Finds Its Perfect Match After 5 Years on the Market

Property Profile

Location: Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL
Style: An architecturally unique home blending neoclassical with California Mediterranean.
Challenge: For 10 years, the home was on and off the market across multiple brokerage firms.
Outcome: We were successful in selling the home through strategic staging, accurate pricing, and listing in the Private Listing Network of the MLS.

Background

This one-of-a-kind Chicago home had been on and off the market for about 10 years. With its distinctive design and lack of outdoor space off the main living level, the 9,000 square foot home proved a tough sell in a city where many buyers lean toward more traditional/transitional homes with easily accessed outdoor spaces. The home had been listed with multiple brokerages, but none were able to connect the property with the right buyer.

The seller, who grew up in the home and spent over a year doing a major renovation, was emotionally invested. It was important that the next owner not only appreciate the home’s unique features, but would also care for the home with love.

Our Strategy

When we took on the listing, we knew we had one shot to get it right. The key was to create a customized approach that honored the property’s distinct character while appealing to the right buyer pool.

1. Tailored Staging Plan

The home’s architectural uniqueness was a selling point, but we needed an elevated presentation. We partnered with a specialty staging company that was willing to collaborate with the owner and our team, hand-selecting furniture, artwork, and accessories to complement the owner’s many beautiful pieces. Our goal was to strike the perfect balance between elegance, style, and comfort.

Because of the home’s large room sizes, each room had to be thoughtfully staged to help potential buyers envision everyday living in the space. We didn’t compromise on quality or design—we had one chance to showcase the home’s full potential, and we made it count.

2. Strategic Pricing

After years of being mispriced in different market conditions, we landed on a number that reflected the home’s value and unique positioning in the local market. The right price point helped generate immediate interest from serious buyers, without undercutting the property’s worth.

3. Controlled, Private Market Launch

Given that the seller was living in the home, we opted for a private marketing strategy to maintain control over showings and to avoid unnecessary disruption. This approach also allowed us to work with qualified, serious buyers, ensuring a more respectful and efficient sales process.

We were able to generate impressive interest and many showings by a strategic marketing approach that started with first-class photography and video, creative social media, listing in the Private Listing Network, exclusive events at the home, and significant broker-to-broker networking. The response was overwhelmingly positive, especially from buyers who admired the home’s unique style—no cookie-cutter home here!

The Perfect Buyers

The perfect buyers arrived from London! They were everything the seller had hoped for: warm, thoughtful, and genuinely in love with the home. The connection between buyer and seller was almost immediate, and during the process from contract to closing, the buyers and seller communicated regularly, unheard of with most real estate deals!

That is what made this transaction particularly special: the ongoing communication between both parties—a rare dynamic in real estate. Instead of creating conflict, this transparency fostered trust and collaboration. The agents, buyers, and sellers worked together in harmony, treating the process like a shared goal rather than a negotiation.

Result

After years of uncertainty and false starts, this unique home finally found her perfect match. The transaction closed smoothly, and both parties walked away with a sense of joy and satisfaction. The buyers gained a home they adore, and the seller found peace in knowing his beloved home was in good hands.

Takeaways:

A personalized marketing and staging strategy can unlock the true value of a property, even one that has struggled on the market.
– Emotional sales require empathy and strategy in equal measure.
– Privately marketing listings can be a powerful tool when handled correctly.
– The perfect buyer match does exist—it just takes a keen eye, a custom, creative presentation, timing, and patience.

Thinking about selling your unique home? Let’s create a tailored strategy that highlights what makes your home special—and gets it sold. Contact us today!